POSTCARD BOOK REVIEWS

Memorials to the Fallen in the Anglo-Boer War 1899 to 1902, Richard Stroud RDPSA, published 2021. 128 pages plus eight preliminary pages, printed on 130gsm silk-finish paper, perfect bound. All illustrations in colour. Includes memorials in the UK and Ireland, South Africa (British and Republican), Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Intended as a guide to the memorials of the War. Details of each memorial include dedication, unveiling and by whom, where situated and construction, and notes on history since its erection (where applicable). An appendix details architects, builders, designers, etc., where information is known. ISBN 978-0-901038-16-6

Price £20, plus postage from the author, e-mail: richard@richardstroud.plus.com

It is always a pleasure to find a new book, where the author has researched a subject which has not been published before. In this book, published at the end of 2021, Richard Stroud has brought together, mostly Edwardian picture postcards of Anglo-Boer War Memorials, from four continents. Clearly there was no set design to commemorate the fallen following the Anglo-Boer War. A triumphal arch, a stone cross, a bronze statue, a stone screen or tablet, are among the memorials illustrated here. Those commemorated include, local town lads, scholars from the same school, a single regiment, burghers from one battle, a scout from a bicycle corps of the Boer Army and so on. There is even a Horse Memorial. These were erected in many artistic styles; Christian and classical themes with the symbols and subjects of the period. Today, many remain where they were in the early twentieth century, dominating a town like Worcester, or in the case of Llandudno on the windswept Great Orme, a limestone headland on the north coast of Wales. Others have been moved, often to more peaceful places as towns were developed.

The war started at the end of the ninetieth century and finished in the early twentieth. Therefore, here is a book dedicated to the post Anglo-Boer War period, giving us an insight into how the fallen were remembered by their Nation and Comrades and Communities. Here too, we can grasp the social feelings and the artistic style of the period. To anyone who has an interest in the Anglo-Boer War, 1899 to 1902, this book should be on their bookshelves to complete that tragic story of southern African history.

J.W.

Something of a Novelty, Postcards of South Africa, published 2007, by Archie Atkinson, edited by Vivien Allen and published in the Isle of Man by S.A. Manx Association, illustrating 168 postcards in colour and with a good index. There are 166 pages, plus four preliminary pages, printed on 120gsm bond paper and perfect bound, 254mm x 210mm (circa 10 x 8¼ inches, Large Post quarto).

As I was handed my copy I was told “It’s a good read” and that is just what this marvelous book is. It is explained in the ‘Editor’s note’ that this was not the first attempt to publish book before his death during the first week of March 2008. There are no great lists of data here, not a bad thing. The pages deal with illustrated postal stationery (view cards) and picture postcards in more or less chronological order spanning the years 1896 to the Edwardian period. On the way, the Anglo-Boer War, artists, ships, social history, hotels, strikes, people, postman and publishers are all included. Indeed, this is a comprehensive account that will stand the test of time and will give pleasure not only to postcard collectors but to anyone interested in pre-Union South Africa. Niggles? None, I can even forgive the title which is not easy to catalogue. Perhaps “Postcards of South Africa” could have come before “Something of a Novelty”, but you see Archie Atkinson spent most of his working life as a newspaper journalist and editor, working on the Kimberley Advertiser and Johannesburg Star and so on. This was his last headline.

If you are reading this, then you should have a copy on your bookshelf, to dip into again and again, “it’s a good read”.

J.W.

Published by the author 1^st July 2019, A4 (297x210mm.) format and sectioned / perfect bound, 151 pages printed in full colour on a 130gsm silk machine coated paper with illustrated cover.

In December 2001 the author published ‘Viewcards of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek’ as a supplement to The South African Postcard Research Group News Letter; listing the known South African Republic illustrated postal stationery cards. Later in 2002, this was updated in an article published in The Transvaal Philatelist, ‘View cards of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek’. Since then the author has been networking with other likeminded collectors and collating data, not only on the illustrated postal stationery cards, but on the picture postcards of South Africa published between 1896 and 1900.

The result is a meticulously researched and organised listing of both picture postcards and illustrated postal stationery cards, which are generally listed under the publisher’s name. Many of these publishers will not be familiar to postcard collectors. Where the publisher or printer is unknown, the author creates descriptive names, such as, ‘Vertical Cape post cards’, which will now surely be the standard names given in future publications.

Following a short introduction for each publisher there is a description of each card, giving the title, earliest postal date, type of address side and a rarity code. Bram notes in the primary pages that the rarity does not reflect the value as some cards are more popular than others.

Auctioneers are now quoting Bram Leeflang’s reference numbers from this publication. Therefore, for those interested in the early illustrated stationery cards and non-stationery picture postcards of the Boer Republics, Cape of Good Hope and Natal, this beautifully illustrated book will prove to be an essential addition to their bookshelves.

Now Available, Worldwide: 40 Euro + Post. Contact Bram at bramleeflang@hotmail.com

J.W.

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Copyright © 2022 Jeff Woolgar and those who wrote the reviews.

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